7 Glamping Gems in Ireland

armore glamping pods
Image by Tripadvisor

Glamping in Ireland lets you step into the gorgeous landscape without having to rough it. You’re surrounded by those deep green layers, the kind that shift with the passing clouds, but you still have a proper place to come home to at the end of the day.

You can sleep under the stars without sacrificing comfort and, in the summer, the air is cool enough to keep the door open a little while longer.

Together, let’s explore your options. We’ve outlined a few sites for you, beginning in the north, working west and south along the coast, then returning east. Whichever corner of the Emerald Isle you have your eye on, there’s a retreat waiting for you.

Finn Lough, Fermanagh

finn lough
Image by Tripadvisor

Set across woodland along the edge of Lough Erne, Finn Lough is built around immersion in the landscape, rather than views alone. The bubble domes are what most people come for, with transparent ceilings that open the space to the trees and sky above. But, the setting itself is what will hold your attention once you arrive.

Once you’re there, the layout will encourage you to slow down without even thinking about it. You can move through the spa trail, stepping between saunas, plunge pools, and lakeside spaces, all within the forest.

It closely mirrors the idea of forest bathing, where the focus is on spending time within the trees, rather than moving quickly through them.

Lough Mardal Eco Lodge, Donegal

lough mardal
Image by Tripadvisor

Lough Mardal brings everything back to simplicity, but in a way that still feels considered. Their yurts and shepherd huts are set along a quiet lakeshore, with tall hills behind and very little interruption from the outside world.

You might like to step outside in the morning and enjoy the lake before anything else starts. There’s no need to plan your day at Lough Mardal. Time tends to move more slowly here, whether you’re walking along the lake, reading outside your hut, or settling in for the evening near the fire.

Fernwood, Connemara

connemara
Photo by Jenny DeLuca on Unsplash

Fernwood is set just outside Clifden, surrounded by trees, and the approach alone signals that things are about to quiet down. It makes for a great home base because you can spend the day driving the Sky Road, heading into Roundstone, and walking along the nearby beaches before coming home in the evening.

Your mornings will probably start outside, with short walks through the trees before the day builds into whatever you’d like it to be. Wherever you go, Fernwood is the kind of place where two nights can easily turn into three, simply because there’s no reason to rush back out onto the road.

Killarney Glamping at The Grove, Kerry

killarney glamping at the grove
Image by Tripadvisor

In this campsite, you’ll be close enough to Killarney that you can head in for dinner or music, then return to something quieter at the end of the night.

The pods are dappled across an open meadow, giving you space without feeling removed from everything else.

During the day, you can visit Killarney National Park, walk along the lakes, or drive the Ring of Kerry. It’ll give you a clear contrast between time spent exploring and time spent settling back into your retreat come evening light.